The City of Duluth Municipal Court is giving a much needed break to many this holiday season by accepting canned food donations for partial payment of fines.

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A merry Holiday Season is upcoming in Duluth with festivities for young or old!   The Downtown Duluth Annual Tree Lighting, Cookies & Cocoa with Santa, and several scheduled visits by Saint Nick himself, will transform the city into a festive celebration of lights, music, food, shopping, and joy!

After enjoying a Thanksgiving feast, Duluth merchants will welcome holiday shoppers as the Christmas Season begins!   Duluth retailers ranging from clothing stores, home goods, car dealerships, electronics experts, home improvement specialists, sporting goods, to an abundance of restaurants, bakeries, movie theaters, and other entertainment, all await your visit, to shop, dine and enjoy the season, while staying close to home!

Duluth offers everything you might need for filling Christmas lists and Hanukkah wishes without the hassles of Atlanta crowds, driving for miles, or mall traffic gridlock!

Visit the convenient Duluth merchants for all of your Black Friday and other holiday shopping needs!  Supporting Duluth retailers helps our local economy, and alleviates the headaches of big mall crowds!  Remember, “Shop Small Saturday,” is November 28th, so come shopping in Duluth and enjoy our unique selection of retailers!

Other holiday activities include the Duluth Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Saturday, December 5^th, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., which marks the official unveiling of the festively decorated Duluth Town Green!  Families, friends, pets and everyone else are all welcome to this 37^th year celebratory event!  Downtown Duluth merchants will be open during this special evening, so come for the Tree Lighting and stay for the shopping!

Starting at 5:00 p.m., December 5^th, Duluth City Council members will welcome visitors at City Hall to answer questions or just wish constituents a wonderful holiday season!  Come meet our city officials until 6:00 p.m., and tell them why Duluth is such a special place to live, work, and play!

Musical guests, food trucks, crafts for children, and both the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots will be collecting holiday donations, to make the Duluth Annual Tree Lighting a memorable, festive evening!  Bring an unwrapped toy and you might win tickets for an upcoming Georgia Swarm Lacrosse Game!

Santa will make his grand entrance via the Duluth Express to meet with all boys and girls on the Festival Center Stage after the tree lighting!  So start making your list now of Christmas morning wishes!  Tell Santa if you have been naughty or nice this year…hopefully NICE, to receive all of the gifts your heart desires!

The 2015 Holiday Season continues with Cookies & Cocoa with Santa, Saturday, December 19^th from 10:00 a.m. until noon! Santa will make a return trip to Downtown Duluth and visit the historic Red Clay Music Foundry stage, for individual photos with Santa, and to listen to every Christmas wish from boys and girls of all ages!   No one is too young or too old to visit with Santa!

Photos taken during Cookies & Cocoa with Santa will be available on the Duluth Facebook Page a few days before Christmas to share with family and friends!

Delicious holiday cookies will be given to visitors who await their visit with Santa, thanks 12 Stone Church!  Soft drinks and other beverages will be available for purchase at the Red Clay Music Foundry refreshment area or hot cocoa for $2.00 a cup will be provided by Espresso Theory.

Last minute Letters to the North Pole can be composed and mailed right there while waiting to meet Santa!  A special North Pole Mailbox will rush all of those cards and letters back to Santa’s hardworking Elves!

A few of Santa’s Elves will accompany him to Cookies & Cocoa with Santa, and help all visitors to have a jolly good time! Each child will receive a festive ornament with the symbolizing the “The Legend of Milk and Cookies” while awaiting their photo with Santa!

Come to Duluth for a memorable 2015 Holiday Season!  Avoid the hassles of Atlanta by shopping, dining, and enjoying everything Duluth has to offer during this most special time of year!

Why go anywhere else since there are so many things to do in Duluth GA? Everything needed for a seasonal celebration of lights, cheer, shopping, food, fun, and the opportunity to meet Santa, all will await in Downtown Duluth!

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“Santa is coming!  Santa is coming!”  All good little boys and girls, as well as adults, will want to visit the Duluth Town Green on Saturday, December 5th, for the annual Tree Lighting festivities, signifying the start of the upcoming holiday season. This 37^th annual celebration of seasonal sights, scents, sounds, and Santa will occur from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. in Downtown Duluth.

A variety of activities abound for those young and old on December 5th including the lighting of the Duluth Town Green tree and the arrival of Santa aboard the Duluth Express!  

Food, drinks, crafts, and music for kids and adults alike will fill Downtown Duluth with the holiday excitement and enjoyment of this most joyous time of year.

Before Santa’s arrival, music will fill the air and captivate everyone with the spirit of Christmas. The Chattahoochee Elementary School Choir will sing holiday favorites and a performance by local vocalist, Emily Vance, will include her new single “Christmas Stays the Same” and a rendition of “Oh Holy Night.” Bands from both Freedom Church and 12 Stone Church are also  scheduled to perform for the crowd.

The evening will begin as Duluth City Council members gather at City Hall to meet the public from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. These Duluth officials will answer questions from constituents or just introduce themselves to anyone interested in talking to our city’s leaders.

A big white tent on the Duluth Town Green will offer free ornament-making for kids who want to design their own holiday ornaments. This is a great opportunity to commemorate Christmas 2015 with a lifelong keepsake.

After the unveiling of the beautiful lights adorning the Duluth Town Green tree, the evening concludes with an entrance by the jolly man himself, SANTA!   Riding the Duluth Express, Santa will be visiting the Festival Center Stage for photos and to hear what good boys and girls might want for Christmas. So start making your lists now.

Food options will be abundant for those hungry Tree Lighting participants. BBQ enthusiasts will savor the offerings from local favorite ANGELFIRE7 BBQ, while Bucket O’ Shrimp will provide “great eats” to seafood lovers. Simply Done will offer fresh made to order Hot donuts. Espresso Theory will have an assortment of seasonal drinks, both hot and cold, to warm chilly hands or to cool off, in case the evening is unseasonably warm.

A Toys for Tots donation site will be available to collect new, unwrapped gifts. Everyone bringing a Toys for Tots item, will receive a raffle ticket to win tickets for an upcoming Georgia Swarm Lacrosse match.

The Salvation Army will be represented in order to take monetary contributions for their annual holiday “Red Kettle” fund. This seasonal campaign offers help to thousands of Georgians throughout the year when disaster strikes and impacts the lives of our families, friends, neighbors and other local citizens.

Start your 2015 holiday season in Downtown Duluth with the 37^th Annual Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 5^th, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Enjoying the wonders of Christmas is one of the best things to do in Duluth GA. Watch in awe the lighting of our town’s “Great Tree.” Meet Santa. Eat some delicious food.  Craft a Christmas ornament. Talk with Duluth City Council Members. Hear festive live music and make a Toys for Tots or Salvation Army donation, all occurring on Saturday, December 5^th, from 5:00 -8:00 p.m., on the beautiful Duluth Town Green and Festival Center Stage!

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You don’t have to ask yourself what to do in Duluth because a ghoulishly good time awaits all ghosts, goblins, mummies, humans and canines as Howl on the Green invades Downtown Duluth, with a boo-nanza of bewitching fun, Friday, October 30th starting at 6:00 p.m.!

This final fang-tastic Fridays-N-Duluth of 2015 will fly away until next year, but not before this haunt-ingly good time unveils a fright-night of entertainment including Fire dancers, Aerialists, Breakdancing Werewolves and other Creepy Creatures!

Costume contests, freekishly fabulous food, games, Trick or Treating on Main Street, music and eerily awesome live entertainment also awaits your arrival on October 30th!  A giant spider web will catch unsuspecting victims, moths, and other creepy characters will provide spine-tingling entertainment, while the American Red Cross Blood Mobile wants your blood that evening!  So BEWARE!

Those victims brave enough to return for another season of Howl on the Green will be bone-chillingly thrilled that DJ Rob and Luminocity Entertainment Division (LED) are back for a third year to wow everyone with spook-tacular music, dancing characters, a hair-raising entertainment, and an aerialist performance!

Costumed contestants will over-run Duluth Town Green with a bewitching mix of attire to impress the judges!  There will be separate divisions for kids, adults, families/groups and a Hall-O-Weenie class just for daring dogs who aren’t afraid of other creepy critters in costume!

Four separate age categories will cover all the little ones in the Lil’ Wolves division of the costume contest. One frightening WOLF PACK prize will be awarded for best family costume.  A WEREWOLVES competition will include those daring adults going solo in costume with both a men’s and women’s winner!  And the evening includes two categories for best costumed canines!

Three human judges will crown the scariest human costume winners, while Brady Charles, the Hall-O-Weenie wonder judge, will once again “sniff-out” the best Canine Costume!  This spirited pooch will return to the stage to “cast his spell” in choosing a winner for both the large and small dog categories!

Lil’ Wolves will be divided into four age groups for the littlest ones starting at 0-3 years, a 4-6 year-group, 7-9-year-olds, and those ages 10-12.  The Lil’ Wolves contest will occur at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Wolf Pack family or group competition at 7:00 p.m.

The Hall-O-Weenie canine contest hosted by dog-judge extraordinaire Brady Charles, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. with a small dog group of those weighing 35 pounds or less, and a larger dog grouping for those rattling the scales at more than 35 pounds!  Those frightful SOLO men and women entering the WEREWOLVES division will compete at 8:00 p.m.

Ghoulishly great gift baskets will be the prize for all human winners and canines will win their own basket of delectable treats!   There will be a limit of ten entrants per category for all human and pooch divisions.  Open registration starts one hour before the costume contests and must be done on site! So get your bones down to the Duluth Town Green early to enter this freakishly fun event!  (Please NO weapons, sharp objects or pyrotechnics as added accoutrements to your costume!)

Hair-raisingly great food will invade Howl on the Green, October 30^th with a bewitching caravan of gourmet trucks as temptation to all ghosts, goblins, and other characters who dare to visit the area for this devilish night of surprises!

The American Red Cross will be collecting your blood as their bloodmobile makes a Halloween landing to take donations from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Anyone 17 or older can donate and reservations are suggested but not required using the sponsor code: “CityofDuluth” or by calling 1-800-Red-Cross.   Blood donations are always needed especially after the South Carolina floods!

Keeping all creepy characters entertained is challenging!  But giant games will be available at Howl on the Green with life-sized Checkers, Chess, Connect 4, Hi-Towner, and a Bounce House!  Fun crafts will be available and the Duluth Town Train will take any ghosts, goblins or humans needing a ride, to destinations unknown!

Come join all of the hair-raising Halloween fun with this Fridays-N-Duluth fang-tastic finale, October 30^th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.!  Start planning a costume now for you or a four-legged canine companion and enjoy a Fright-Night Friday!  It promises to be a howling good time!!

                                       

It’s an early fall Fridays-N-Duluth that might be cooler in temperature but HOT with activities when STE(A)M debuts at the event this Friday, October 23!  The evening will be filled with the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STE(A)M) to be enjoyed by all ages, and also includes a concert by crowd-favorite The Regulars Band, all occurring in Downtown Duluth. As with every Fridays-N-Duluth, the fun begins at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m.

STE(A)M activities are kid friendly and include interactive displays sponsored by community groups, companies and individuals that challenge keen minds and demonstrate how everyday items can be used in imaginative and innovative ways.  Scheduled STE(A)M participants and programs include:

• Freeze Cream is a local vendor of delicious organic ice cream and uses the freezing properties of Nitrogen to instantaneously make this favorite summer treat!  A Freeze Cream representative will demonstrate to the STE(A)M audience how rapidly ice cream can be created using Nitrogen, and will share the yummy results of this “scientific dessert!”
• The Duluth Police Department’s Command Unit will demonstrate crime-fighting technology used to keep area citizens safe.
• The Atlanta Astronomy Club will offer star-gazing via an on-site telescope for Fridays-N-Duluth
• Georgia Gwinnett College will host Lego Robotics and what can be built from this timeless childhood favorite. The GGC booth will also include programs about the fascination of soap bubbles and the creative skills of Origami.
• C3 Glass Art Studio will offer glass-blowing demonstrations and the unique items that can be made from this ancient art form.
• Destination Imagination will offer the seasonal sport of Pumpkin Chunking for those who want to challenge their strength and distance skills and go beyond pumpkin carving and pie eating!
• PNC Bank will distribute pre-Halloween candy via their Treat Truck for ghouls of all ages.
• “Mathnasium” will test math skills and highlight the importance of math in everyday life.

Also occurring during this evening of fun-filled activities will be the Fridays-N-Duluth favorite games of Life-Sized Checkers, Chess, Connect 4, and Hi-Towner.  Downtown Duluth shops will remain open and food options for Friday dining will abound.

Duluth-favorite The Regulars Band will be the featured group for this October 23^rd Fridays-N-Duluth. Brother, Lee, and sister, Lindsey, Smith will take the Duluth Town Green Stage for this event. Backed by band members Douglas Ehlen on electric guitar, Clay Davis on “funky bass”, and Elliott Phillips on drums, this group always gives the Duluth crowd a night of “equal parts Rock and Funk, with a whole lot of Soul sprinkled on top!”

Howl on the Green and the last scheduled Fridays-N-Duluth on October 30^th   will invade the Duluth Town Green with ”howling” ghosts and goblins. More ghoulish details will be coming.

Thank you Duluth residents for a memorable Fridays-N-Duluth season!  But do not miss these final two Friday night things to do in Duluth that will be two October nights to remember, with unique events, family fun, and great live music!

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Starting today, the City of Duluth will be participating in helping the Bert Show, “Big Thank You.” Lori Edelkind, will be collecting the letters and ensuring that they get to the Bert Show, for the “Big Thank You 2015.”

There is a drop box for letters, in the lobby, at Duluth’s Public Safety Building, at 3276 Buford Highway, Duluth, 30096, until October 26^th, 2015. Letters must be submitted by October 26^th to ensure that soldiers receive them on Thanksgiving.

http://bigthankyou2015.com/

Per the guidelines of the Bert Show, each letter should be heartfelt, handwritten, original, and free of any political statements. The purpose of the letter is to express thanks to the military personnel currently deployed outside the United States. We reserve the right to eliminate those messages that are political in nature and do not reflect a positive message in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

• All letters must be on 8.5” x 11” paper or smaller.
• Do not use glue, tape, staples, cardboard, glitter or otherwise attach anything to the paper.
• NO construction paper.
• Decorate using crayons, markers, pens or pencils.
• Use both sides if you like, but use one page per letter only.
• Do not send greeting cards or photographs.
• Feel free to include your mailing and email address.
• Individual letters should not be sealed in envelopes.
• Do not send anything except letters.

For more information, visit http://thebertshow.com/bigthankyou/. For Duluth questions, email Lori Edelkind at ledelkind@duluthga.net.

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Breezy autumn evenings and the spacious Duluth Town Green are a perfect combination for the final weeks of Fridays-N-Duluth, October 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th and 23^rd, and Flicks on the Bricks, October 2^nd and 16^th.  These two popular Downtown Duluth events combine films, food, live music and a festive outdoor atmosphere.  Come join friends or neighbors in Downtown Duluth before the season ends!

Friday, October 2^nd initiates the final month of transforming The Duluth Town Green into one of the area’s largest movie-watching venues that is family and dog friendly!  An array of food vendors will entice movie-watchers with delicious aromas during Flicks on the Bricks and other downtown activities.  Fun inflatables will again be available for energetic kids to bounce away on the Town Green until the start of the movie.

Live music accompanies all Fridays-N-Duluth October events as The Highbeams make a return visit on October 2^nd as a favorite group of Duluth audiences!   Performing from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. this popular instrumental and vocal trio, comprised of brothers Adam & Ian Pendlington and bassist Stephen Quinn, will entertain the audience with smooth guitar strokes and soulful harmonies. The Highbeams opened the Fridays-N-Duluth May 1^st summer concert season, and also appeared August 7^th.

Other upcoming Fridays-N-Duluth October performances include Riley Biederer, October 9^th, Drive Thru Junkies, October 16th, and a second appearance by The Regulars Band, October 23^rd, prior to this season’s Howl On The Green Friday, October 30^th finale.

Riley Biederer is a 19-year-old Atlanta native, aspiring singer and songwriter, who is making her second Fridays-N-Duluth appearance.  She is presently recording a first album in such varied locales as Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City and Atlanta.

The five-member group of Drive Thru Junkies is Marietta-based and offers a varied repertoire from the Beatles to the Black Keys.   Their music is a marathon of yesterday, today and “rockin’ it their way” tunes, which guarantees every audience a “danceable good time!”

The Regulars Band is known for their equal parts funk and rock and fronted by siblings Lee and Lindsey Smith, and group members Doug Ehler, Clay Davis, and Elliot Phillips.  Their soulful guitar and vocals guarantees a “rock-out” night to bring Fridays-N-Duluth to a spirited pre-Halloween ending!

The next weekend Howl On The Green invades the Duluth Town Green, Friday, October 30^th, for all goblins to celebrate Halloween!  More ghoulish details upcoming!

Pack a picnic, grab a blanket or a few lawn chairs, leash-up your pooch, and come join the fun!  Watch a movie under the stars in a casual, outdoor environment and welcome the cooler temperatures of autumn.  All musical performances occur on the Duluth Town Green from 6 – 9 p.m., prior to the evening’s Flicks on the Bricks movie.

The Flicks on the Bricks October 2^nd movie is The Boxtrolls.   This animated feature follows orphaned “Eggs,” a human boy who is being lovingly raised by a quirky group of underground characters living below the city of Cheesebridge.

The voice-overs for this unique group of cavernous “under-dwellers” and the evil villain who wants to “exterminate” them include Ben Kingsley, Elle Fanning, Simon Pegg and Tracy Morgan.  Rated PG, the film was based on the children’s book, “Here Be Monsters” by Alan Snow, and released as an animated movie in September of 2014.  The Boxtrolls received an Academy Award nomination for “Best Animated Feature.”

Friday, October 16^th includes the Duluth Fine Arts League (DFAL) Annual Art Walk featuring local artists’ visual, edible and interactive art. Flicks on the Bricks movie is The Maze Runner.   Rated PG-13, the film stars Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, and Ki Hong Lee as a group of abandoned teens who attempt to escape from the giant labyrinth in which they are held captive.  This film also was released during September of 2014.

Pack a picnic, grab a blanket or a few lawn chairs, bring a sweatshirt, leash-up a four-legged friend, and join the fun!  Come eat, hear great live music, watch a movie under the stars and “chill” with the cooler temperatures!  Celebrate October by enjoying a Fridays-N-Duluth with family, friends, or make new acquaintances in Downtown Duluth.   Discover why there are so many things to do in Duluth GA and what makes our city such a special place to live, play, or work!

On August 10, the Duluth Downtown Development Authority executed a formal Development, Purchase and Sales Agreement with Dreamland Restaurants of Atlanta, Inc. to construct a 6,500 square foot Dreamland Bar-B-Que restaurant. In addition, Dreamland selected Christian Brothers, Inc. (CBI) as its general contractor. Construction activities are slated to begin this week in September with removal of the existing warehouse structure. Some materials will be reused in the interior to reflect the history of the Parsons distribution facility which stood on the site.

Earlier this week Dreamland Duluth’s General Manager Tim Clark visited the site to go over plans with Duluth City Councilman Kelly Kelkenberg. “We have taken the time to get to know this community in a very real way,” said Mr. Clark.  “Dreamland’s core mission from its inception in 1958 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama has always been to serve great food to its customers as family.”

Councilman Kelkenberg echoed that sentiment: “Dreamland has set up a tent at every one of our Food Truck Friday events to answer questions and introduce our citizens and visitors to their way of doing business.”

Construction of the facility is anticipated to take six months, with Dreamland being the first of an expected 11 total retail sites on the Parsons Alley Block area totaling some 42,000 square feet of new and adaptively-reused space.  The project also includes a central outdoor plaza to anchor the redevelopment at the top of Duluth Town Green.

“We are anxious to begin the visible part of this project” said Betsy McAtee, Dreamland CEO. “The new building is designed and will be constructed to reflect the heritage of Dreamland and the rich history of the Parson’s warehouse district.”

Dreamland will employ 75-100 full-time staff and has six locations in Alabama and one other location in Georgia.

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Autumn colors, the smell of cider and the sounds from a magical variety of entertainment fill the air for the 2015 Duluth Fall Festival, Thursday, September 24 – Sunday, September 27!   Celebrating its’ 33^rd year, this annual event has become a seasonal mainstay for Duluth residents, Atlanta citizens, and other Southeast visitors.

The Fall Festival Concert opens the 2015 Duluth Fall Festival schedule on Saturday, September 12^th when Rupert’s Orchestra will be headlining for the fourth year!  This group of 12-talented individuals guarantees to bring the evening’s audience to their feet with a musical mixture of Motown, Big Band Era, and Classic Rock tunes.  Rupert’s Orchestra will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. after a performance by Sacred City.  This soulful pairing of siblings Alyson and Phil Rogers, is the night’s opening act, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Unfurling the carnival tent for the Duluth Fall Festival on Thursday, September 24, Gold Medal Shows will bring their family-friendly entertainment to Downtown Duluth for all four days!  Offering a dizzying array of carnival rides, delicious fair food, games, and other activities, the Midway will be open both Thursday, September 24^th & Friday, September 25^th from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., and all day Saturday and Sunday until closing.

Featuring the Dizzy Dragon, Orient Express, and Rio Grande Train rides, Gold Medal Shows have provided carnival entertainment to the Atlanta area since 1969.  Gold Medal Shows is also known for their variety of fair food which will fill the Midway with the aroma of funnel cakes, elephant ears, French Fries, pizza, and other fan favorites.  No one will go hungry here!

The Duluth Fall Festival shifts into overdrive Saturday, September 26^th with a variety of arts, entertainment, food, music, a parade, and silent auctions, all in one day!  Starting at 9:00 a.m., 250 artisan booths will welcome visitors offering visitors a vast selection of handmade items including ceramics, children’s clothing, jewelry, metal sculptures, painting, photography, pottery, soaps, woodworking, and other mediums by vendors traveling from Ohio, Texas, and all states in-between.

At 10:00 a.m. the Duluth Fall Festival Parade officially opens the weekend festivities with the excitement of marching bands, street performers, fire engines, and other local groups, to entertain crowds aligning the parade route.  Former Atlanta Falcons star, Chuck Smith, is the 2015 Grand Marshal. Other Duluth Fall Festival Parade honorees include Honorary Grand Marshals Billy Boles, and the Duluth High School Boys Soccer Team, the 2015 State Soccer Champions!

Billy Boles is a Duluth native, resident, and decorated World War II veteran.  Boles fought in the Battle of the Bulge, was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery, and was held captive for five months by the Nazis.  He will turn 92 later this year.  The Duluth High School Soccer Team also will share the Honorary Grand Marshal duties with an impressive 21-2 season record and State Championship title!

The Duluth Fall Festival Parade route starts in Downtown Duluth at Main Street, turns South and East onto Highway 120, goes South at Buford Highway, and ends at Hardy Industrial Boulevard.  All traffic will be redirected from these areas before and during the parade.

The Duluth Fall Festival Parade is just the opener for a jammed Saturday line-up of musical performances and other special events!  Starting at 12:30 p.m. both the Festival Center Stage and the Calaboose Stage will offer a variety of 20 acts both for Saturday & Sunday for Duluth Fall Festival attendees to enjoy!

Television and radio personality, Walter Reeves, will offer his gardening advice and answer audience questions from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 26^th.  Deemed “The Georgia Gardener,” Reeves entertains fans with his “down-home” humor and helpful gardening tips.

Saturday activities conclude with the craft booths closing at 7:00 p.m. and the Duluth Fall Festival Carnival ending the Midway fun at 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 27^th Duluth Fall Festival events begin early with the Duluth Donut Dash at 8:00 a.m.!  Each racer will receive a free donut and coffee from Dunkin Donuts on Buford Highway for getting up early and joining the other runners.

This is a U.S. Track & Field certified event and serves as a qualifying race for the July 4^th Peachtree Road Race.  Awards will be given to the winners of the 15 age group categories, which range from age 10 and younger, to 75 years and older.  All funds raised from by the Duluth Donut Dash will be donated to the Methodist Children’s Home to assist Georgia children who are in foster care.

Other Sunday, September 27^th Duluth Fall Festival activities include a special outdoor Worship on the Town Green featuring members and staff of Duluth First United Methodist Church.  Everyone is welcome to join the event and you can bring a chair or blanket to enjoy an uplifting message to start the week!

At the conclusion of Worship on the Town Green, the Sunday entertainment line-up will take the Festival Center and Calaboose Stages from 11:30 a.m. until the Duluth Fall Festival ends at 5:00 p.m.  The Sunday, September 27th event calendar also includes a General Store Auction and a Silent Auction.

Ladies, is convincing your husband or boyfriend to attend the Duluth Fall Festival a challenge?  The wildly popular Man’s Corner will return to Downtown Duluth to offer men the comforts of home while visiting the Duluth Fall Festival!  A few of these men-focused perks include televised college and professional football games both Saturday and Sunday from the Man’s Corner tent and such “man-friendly” exhibitors and sponsors as the Atlanta Hawks, Big Green Egg backyard cookers, the Georgia Swarm, John Deere products, and Zero-Turn Mowers.

As with all good things that must end, the 2015 Duluth Fall Festival concludes at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, September 27^th.  If past years’ attendance are an indicator, an estimated 100,000 visitors will come to Downtown Duluth and enjoy the Duluth Fall Festival!  Why not be one of them? 

Come visit Duluth and Capture the Spirit of Good Living!

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A star-lit sky, a balmy autumn breeze, and the perfect outdoor venue all combine for a memorable evening for enjoying live music, food, and fun at the Fall Festival Concert in Duluth, Saturday, September 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Duluth Festival Center will be transformed into the ultimate downtown concert stage for two outstanding groups and the ultimate night of music and dancing!

The Southern blues, rock and soul duo, Sacred City, will open the evening, starting at 6:30 p.m., and The Rupert’s Orchestra will follow at 8:00 p.m.

The Sacred City musical partnership of brother and sister songwriting team, Alyson and Phil Rogers, gives audiences a powerful performance of energized vocals by Alyson, while Phil provides unmatched talent on the guitar.

Based in Atlanta, the siblings have wowed fans with their musical talents combining various genres into their own unique sound. The two write songs that reflect an insightful and melodic commentary on the joys, loves, and losses of human life.

The Rupert’s Orchestra headlines the Duluth Fall Festival Concert, taking the stage at 8:00 p.m. Formed in 1987, the “house-band” for Rupert’s, a once-famous Buckhead bar and music venue, continues two decades later with a loyal Atlanta following, while also entertaining audiences nationwide.

This 12-piece group of talented musicians has a varied crowd-pleasing and danceable repertoire that includes the best of Motown, Classic Rock, current Top-40 hits, and 1940s-era Big Band music. Mark Coughlin, the group’s first and only musical director, is one of six original members who remain from their days as the Rupert’s “house-band.”

Coughlin states that since Rupert’s closed in 1995, The Rupert’s Orchestra has carried on the name and has played 1,000 dates, ranging from their upcoming fourth year as the headliner for the Duluth Fall Festival Concert, to weddings and to corporate events for The Coca-Cola Company and the Olympic Committee, along with other city festivals, most recently in Chamblee, Norcross, and Woodstock.

A special addition to The Rupert’s Orchestra for their Saturday, September 12^th Duluth performance, is the return of famed vocalist, Alfreda Gerald. Compared to the soulful sound of Aretha Franklin, Gerald has toured worldwide with Yanni and other notable performers. Her searing vocals add to the excitement of the evening and The Rupert’s Orchestra members are thrilled to have her back on-stage!

Bring your blankets, chairs, coolers, picnic baskets and small tables to enjoy this great evening of music and dancing in Downtown Duluth. If you don’t have time to prepare your meal at home, a food vendor tent will be available for on-site dining options. Another idea is to come early, park, relax and dine at one of the many acclaimed Downtown Duluth restaurants. These merchants will also offer special “to go” items for easy take-away to the concert venue.

During a break between the two performances, the concert crowd will be offered a first look at the official 2015 Duluth Fall Festival t-shirt!

Occurring on September 26^th & 27th, the Duluth Fall Festival averages 100,000 attendees visiting our historic city to partake in a multitude of events, including a state fair-type carnival with a midway and rides, children’s activities, live music, a parade, a road-race, and much more.

As with all Duluth events, weather is never a factor and both the Fall Festival Concert and the upcoming Duluth Fall Festival will occur rain or shine and four-legged, friendly, leashed canines are welcome.

Come visit Downtown Duluth and discover all the city has to offer, while enjoying a great night of music at the 2015 Fall Festival Concert, Saturday, September 12^th from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.